Plans to turn a controversial Worthing nightclub into flats could be given the go-ahead next month.

People in Eriswell Road, Worthing campaigned against a bid to reopen the former Carioca club, saying it would mean late-night noise and vandalism.

The club closed in the mid-Nineties. When new owner Ben Hope tabled plans to reopen it under the name More and increase capacity from 200 to 430, residents staged a street protest in their nightclothes.

Following the opposition, Mr Hope asked if they would prefer a five-storey flats complex on the site, at the junction of Eriswell Road and Rowlands Road.

The answer was yes and the plans have now been submitted to Worthing Council.

Carol Glenister, who lives in Eriswell Road, said: "Basically we are in favour of anything that is not going to disturb the peace.

"We are quite happy for a residential block to go up because the area is an eyesore now and has been allowed to get into a terrible state.

"When the Carioca was here there were people urinating in the street and fighting and there was far too much noise. It was horrendous. We never want to go back to that."

Fellow resident Daphne Mackenzie said: "I received a letter about the new plans and I am right behind it all. It will be a great improvement."

James Appleton, council development control manager, said councillors could discuss the plans at a meeting on February 21.

Mr Hope was unavailable for comment.